Apparatus for applying metal cases to bricks



y 6, 1954 F. o. SCHOB 2,682,703

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING METAL CASES TO BRICKS Filed Feb. 14, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

l 3 'fuz 0 W BY flo-wy WW JM JZMM July 6, 1954 R Q $HQB 2,682,703

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING METAL CASES TO BRICKS Filed Feb. 14, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IlIIII/IIIIII VIIIIY INVENTOR. ff i BY 03 JMJ July 6, 1954 F. o. SCHOB APPARATUS FOR APPLYING METAL CASES TO BRICKS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 14, 1950 m M, w m 5 H m 91 W H z a m A. -m n a J W 7 9 Illll 4 6. M 7 u 2\\8m.o w n 9. o ...O 5 2 4 m 78 6 6 O l 2 I O Patented July 6, 1954 APPARATUS FOR APPLYING METAL CASES TO BRICKS Fred 0. Schob, Pittsburgh, Pa.,assignr to Harbison-Walker Refractories Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 14, 1950, Serial No. 144,092

Claims. 1

This invention relates to apparatus for applying metal cases to bricks.

As explained in Patent No. 2,480,804, in certain instances refractory bricks for industrial furnaces are partially enclosed in individual metal cases. The high temperature of the furnace fires the bricks and causes adjoining metal cases to bond with one another and with the bricks, whereby an integral structure is formed. The most common type of case is made from sheet metal bent into the form of a channel with the channel flanges converging toward their free edges. Consequently, the flanges must be sprung apart in order to permit a refractory block to be inserted between them. When the flanges are released, they spring back against the sides of the brick. To improve the grip of the case on the brick it is desirable to provide the flanges with inwardly projecting detents or longitudinally extending ribs which, if pressed into the opposite sides of the brick, will keep the brick from slipping out of the case. However, the pressure that the flanges exert against the brick when they are released after it has been inserted between them generally is not great enough to press the proj actions into the brick.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide apparatus which will spread the flanges of metal cases so that bricks can be inserted in them and which can press the flanges against the bricks so that any projections on the inner sur faces of the flanges will be pressed into the sides of the bricks.

In accordance with this invention, a support is provided for a channel shape sheet metal case having upwardly extending flanges, between which a refractory brick is to be inserted. Means are provided for pulling the case flanges farther apart so that a brick can be inserted in the case. After insertion of the brick the flange-pulling means are released from the case flanges so that the flanges can spring back against the sides of the brick. Means also are provided for pressing the case flanges against the sides of the brick after the flange-pulling means have been released from the flanges. Although the flangepulling means may be magnetic, it is preferred that all of the different elements of the apparatus be actuated by fluid pressure means which may be fully automatic or dependent upon controls operated by an attendant. Thus, the flanges of the case may be pulled apart by claws pivotally mounted on movable presser bars beside the flanges. The presser bars are moved in to press the flanges against the sides of the brick 2 after the claws have been moved out of engagement with the flanges so that the claws will not touch the brick.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a plan view; Fig. 2 is a side view; Fig. 3 is an end view, partly in section, with the ipes and wires omitted; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line IVIV of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the wiring and piping arrangement; and Figs. 6 to 9 are fragmentary views illustrating different steps in the casing operation.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, the housing for the apparatus includes parallel vertical end plates l rigidly connected at their lower ends by a base member 2 that may be mounted on casters 3. The upper portion of each end plate is provided with a recess 4 extending downward from its upper edges. These recesses are a little wider and higher than the metal cases 6' that are to be applied to bricks with this apparatus. The upper parts of the end plates are rigidly connected by a flat case support 1 which is secured to the two plates at the bottoms of the recesses. The top of the support is flush with the recess bottoms so that the metal cases may be pushed through the machine if desired.

A short distance below the corners of the casesupport the housing end plates are provided with holes in which the ends of a pair of parallel horizontal shafts 8 are mounted. The shafts are held in the plates by means of straps 9- that are screwed to their opposite ends. Pivotally mounted on the shafts near their opposite ends are bearings l I which are attached to the inner faces of a pair of opposed presser bars [2 extending substantially the full length of the housing and upward past the case support I. The upper ends of the bars are located near the top of a case mounted on the support. Each presser bar also extends below bearings II and then outward to provide a shelf, from the outer end of which the bar extends downward again.

For swinging the bars toward and away from each other around shafts 8, a hinge I3 is connected to the lower end of each bar. The rotatable member of the hinge is connected to the outer end of a toggle link M that extends inward and has its inner end pivotally mounted on a pin I6 carried by a bracket ll. The inner end of one of the links straddles the inner end of the other link so that both links can be mounted on the same pin re. The length of the links is adjustable to vary the minimum distance between the upper ends of the presser bars so that the machine can be used with metal cases of different widths. The toggle bracket H is mounted on the upper end of a piston rod Is that extends down into a cylinder 59 rigidly mounted on the base 2 of the housing. A piston 2c is carried by the lower end of the rod. It will be seen thatas the piston is raised and lowered 'in the cylinder, the presser bars are rocked on their supporting shafts to swing their upper ends toward and away from each other.

Each metal case $5 is formed fromsheet metal that is bent into the shape of a channel having a flat bottom or web and upstanding side flanges. When the web is placed on support 1 the flanges normally converge upwardly as shown in Figs. 5

and 6, and the distance between their upper or free edges is less than the width of thebrick' that is to be placed in the case, so that the flanges will have to be sprung outward and will press against the brick between them. In order to pull the flanges farther apart than their normal position so that they will diverge upwardly and. thus permit a brick to be dropped between them without catching on their upper edges, a flange-gripping claw 22 is mounted on horizontal pivots 23 on each presser bar l2. Each claw extends lengthwise of the adjacent presser bar and inwardly across its upper end. The outer edge of the-claw is connected by a pair of horizontal pivot pins 24 to the upper ends of piston rods 26. Each piston-rod extends down into a cylinderZl that is pivotally supported by a bracket 28 mounted on the p-resser bar shelf. The lower end of the piston rod carries a piston 29. When the pistons are moved up or down in the cylinders, the claw is'rocked on its support. The inner end of each-claw is recessed to provide a depending portion that can hook over theupper edge of the adjacent case flange. When the two claws have been tilted down into flange-gripping position the upper ends-of the presser bars 12 can be swung apart, bymoving toggle piston 20 down in cylinder [9, to cause the claws to spread the case flanges as indicated in Fig. '7.

Various fluid pressure systems may be provided for delivering fluid at thecorrect times to the different cylinders so as to rock the presser bars and claws in a predetermined sequence. One such system, shownin Figs. 2 and 5, which depends uponpushbuttons for controlling it, hasthelower end of'toggle cylinder lil connected by'a pipe 3! to a slide valve 32 that is connected by a pip-e 33 to a source of air under pressure. The sliding valve member 34 is normally held in the position shown by means of a spring 36, but is moved'in the opposite direction when an electric coil 3! is energized. In its normal position, the'valve member connects inlet pipe 33 with a pipe 38 that is connected to the top of'the toggle cylinder. ber connects pipe 3| with the atmosphere through exhaust port 39.

:One end of the coil 3'! is connected by a wire 4| to a spring-opened push button switch '42 mounted on one of the end plates of the housing. This switch, and another is just like it beside it, are connected in parallel by a wire 44 toa source of'electric current. The other end of the coil is connected by a wire 46 to one pole of an'electric switch 41 mounted on one of the presser' bars I2 between cylinders 21. The other pole of this switch'is connected by a wire 48 to a terminal block 49 (Fig. 2) that can be connected to the source of electric current to complete the circuit through coil 31 when switches '42 and 41 are At the same time the valve mema pipe 58 to the source of air pressure. The sliding.valve member 59 is moved bacl: and forth by electric coils it and El that encircle its opposite ends. In the position shown in Fig. in which coil '80 has'been energized. to draw toward it the valve member, the latter connects inlet pipe 53 with pipe 55, and connects another pipe 52 with valve exhaust=port-63. Pipe 62 is connected by flexible conduits E6 to the lower ends of all four claw cylinders.

Coil E50 is connected by wires 55 and 51 to terminal block 49 and push button switch 43, respectively. One end of coil t! is connected by a wire 68 to the terminal block. The other end ofthis coil is connected by a wire 553 to one pole of anormally open electric switch H mounted on one of the housing end plates. The other pole of the'switch is connected by a wire l2 to wire 44. Switch H is closed every time toggle piston Zilrises, by means ofan arm 13 projecting laterally from toggle bracket I1.

Connected in series in wire "52 is a ratchet contactor '14 or switch. As is well known, the circuit through such a contactor is closed every other timethat a switch-actuating solenoid coil with which the contactor is provided, is energized. The coil in this case is connected in series with wire 4| so that the coil is energized every time that push button 42 is closed. it will be seen that valve coil E8 is energized whenever push button switch 43 is closed, but that coil 3! is energized only when the ratchet contactor, as well as switch H, is closed. Consequently, the inner ends of claws 22 are tilted down automatically every alternate time that presser bars l2 are swung toward each other.

In using this apparatus, an empty case 8 is placed on'support l, or two or more cases, depending upon the length of the support, can be placed'on it at the same time. They can be dropped between claws 22 or slid in through one of the end plate recesses. At that time the upper ends of presser bars iii are in their outer positions and the inner ends of the claws are raised. as shownin Fig.5. Switch Al is closed, switch H is open, and the ratchet contactor i4 is open. The operator then presses and holds down button 42, which closes the circuit through valve coil 31 and thereby draws valve member 3A (Fig. 2) to the right to connect the air supply pipe 33- with pipe 34 and the lower end of toggle cylinder i9 and to connect pipe 38 with the atmosphere. The piston 20 therefore rises in the toggle cylinder to spread the lower ends of the presser bars apart and thereby swing their upper ends toward each other.

Just as thepiston reaches its upper limit of travel switch H is closed by arm '53. This closes the circuit through valve coil 5|, because ratchet contactor 14 was closed when button :32 was pushed. Coil 6! draws valve member as (Fig. 2) to the left to connect the air supply pipe 58 with the lower pipe 52 and ends of claw cylinders 2": and to connect pipe 56 with the atmosphere. Pistons 29 in those cylinders rise and tilt the inner ends of the claws down to hook them over the upper edges of the case flanges, as shown in Fig. 6. This movement of the claws causes cam 5| to open switch 41 so that the circuit through valve coil 31 is opened, whereupon toggle piston will descend and spread the upper ends of the presser bars to cause'the claws to pull the case flanges farther apart to the position shown in Fig. 7 so that a brick 88 can be dropped between them without any trouble. Push button 42 then can be released.

The operator then pushes button 43 to energize coil 60 so that valve member 59 will be drawn back to the position shown in Fig. 2. This will connect the lower ends of the claw cylinders with the atmosphere and connect their upper ends with the air supply. The pistons in those cylinders thereupon rock the claws to tilt their inner ends up away from the case flanges and to close switch 41. As soon as the claws release the case flanges they spring back against the sides of the brick in the case, as shown in Fig. 8, but the projections 8| (either detents or ribs) on the inner faces of the flanges prevent the flanges from resting flat against the brick. The operator then presses button 42 again and holds it down in order to deliver air to the lower end of the toggle, cylinder so that the upper ends of the presser bars will be swung toward each other. However, as the ratchet contactor does not close until the next time button 42 is pressed, valve 51 is not reversed when switch H is closed, so the claws remain out of engagement with the case flanges as shown in Fig. 9. The inwardly moving presser bars press thecase flanges tightly against the brick between them, thereby pushing projections 8| into the sides of the brick to lock it in the case. When push button 42 is released, the presser bars are, swung away fromthe case, as shown in Fig. 3, so that the cased brick can be slid off the end of support I and an empty case put in its place in readiness for the operating cycle just described.

According the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiment. However, I desire to have it understood that, within the scope .of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated'and described.

I claim: I

1. Apparatus for applying a channel shape sheet metal case having a bottom and upwardly extending flanges with projections on their inner faces to a refractory brick, comprising a support for the bottom of such a case, means operative while the case is at rest for pulling the case flanges farther apart in readiness to receive a brick between them, means for releasing said flange-pulling means from engagement with the case flanges after a brick has been placed in the case, and positively actuated means for pressing the case flanges tightly against the sides of the brick after said flange-pulling means have been released from the flanges, whereby to press said projections into the brick.

2. Apparatus for applying a channel shape sheet metal case having a bottom and upwardly extending flanges to a refractory brick, comprising a support for the bottom of such a case, presser bars on opposite sides of said support extending above it, means supporting the bars adjacent said support, actuating means connected to said bars for moving them toward and away from each other, means for pulling the case flanges farther apart in readiness to receive a brick between them, and means for releasing said flange-pulling means from engagement with the case flanges before the presser bars are moved in again to engage the flanges and press them against the sides of a brick between them.

3. Apparatus for applying a channel shape sheet metal case having a bottom and upwardly extending flanges to a refractory brick, comprising a support for the bottom of such a case, presser bars on opposite sides of said support extending above it, means supporting the bars adjacent said support, actuating means connected to said bars for moving them toward and away from each other, a claw movably mounted on each presser bar and projecting inwardly therefrom, the claws having inner ends shaped to engage the inner surfaces of the case flanges when those inner ends are moved downward,

actuating means connected to the claws for moving their inner ends downward after the presser bars have been moved toward each other, whereby when the bars are moved away from each other the case flanges will be pulled farther apart by the claws in readiness to receive a brick be-.

tween them, and means for moving the inner ends of the claws upward to release them from the case flanges and for holding the claws in released position while the presser bars are moved in again to engage the case flanges and press them against the sides of the brick.

4. Apparatus for applying a channel shape sheet metal case having a bottom and upwardly extending flanges to a refractory brick, comprising a support for the bottom of such a case, presser bars disposed on opposite sides of said support and extending above it, means supporting the bars adjacent said support, actuating means connected to said bars for moving them toward and away from each other, a claw, pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis on each presser bar and projecting inwardly therefrom, the claws having inner ends shaped to engage the inner surfaces of the case flanges when those inner ends are tilted downward, actuating means connected to the claws for tilting their inner ends downward after the presser bars have been moved tpward each other, whereby when the bars are moved away from each other the case flanges will be pulled farther apart by the .claws in readiness to receive a brick between them, and

means for tilting the inner ends of the claws upward to release them from the case flanges and for holding the claws out of engagement with those flanges while the presser bars are moved in again to engage the case flanges and press them against the sides of the brick.

5. Apparatus for applying a channel shape sheet metal case having a bottom and upwardly extending flanges to a refractory brick, comprising a support for-the bottom of such a case, presser bars on opposite sides of said support and extending above it, means pivotally mounting'v said bars on parallel horizontal axes adjacent the support, actuating means connected to egesegroa;

wherebyiwhen therbars are swunggaway fro In; each: other 'thencase fiangeswillibepulled: farther "apart" by; the: claws inc-readiness to' receive .a brick: be-

tween-them, and:means-fontiltingthe inner ends of: the claws upwardiato releasethem from the case flanges and'fo'r. holding the clawsiabove thosesflanges while the presser barsi'are swung irnagain to engagerthe caseflanges and press them against thev sidesxof the 'brick;

6;..Apparatus forapplying a; channel shape sheet gmetaii case having-t, upwardly extending. fiangesxto ai-refractory brick; comprising a: support": fonr'such; a: case pressersbars on opposite sides: of1saidwsupport andextending above it, means-pivotally mountingnsaid bars on parallel horizontal axes: adjacent the support, a fluid pressure-z cylinder below said support, a piston in" the: cylinder having a piston rod projecting" vertically" from one end of the cylinder, links pivotally connecting the outer-end'ofthe piston rodxto the lower ends of the presser bars, means for'rsupplying fluidto the cylinder tomove the piston therein so asto swing the upper ends of said 'bars toward and away from each other; means for pulling the case. flanges farther apart in readiness to receive a-- brick between them; and means forthen holding said flangepulling means out of engagement with the case flanges-whilethepresser bars areswung in again to: engage the flanges and press them against the sides of "a -brick between them.

72 Apparatus for applying a channel shape sheet metal case having upwardly extending flanges' to a'refractory brick, comprising a sup-- port' for such a case,- presser bars disposed on opposite sides'of' said support and extending above it, means supportingthe bars adjacent saidsupport, actuating means connected to said bars-*for'moving-them toward and away from each" other, a clawpivotally mounted on a horizontal axis on each presser bar and projecting inwardly therefrom, the clawshaving innerends shaped'to'engage-the inner surfaces'of the case flanges when those inner ends are tilted downward, a fluidpressure cylinder mounted "on each presser'bar, a piston inthe cylinder having a' projecting'pistonrod operatively connected to the-'a'djacentclaw-for tilting its inner end downwardafter thepresser'bars have moved toward eachother, whereby when the bars'are moved away/from eachother' the claws will pull the case flanges farther apart in. readiness to receive a brick between them, and means controlling delivery of fluid to said cylinder to tilt the claws away from the case flanges andhold them away whilethe presser bars are moved toward each other toiengage the case flanges and press them against the sides of a brick in the case.

8. Apparatus for applying. a channel shape sheet metal case having upwardly extending flanges to a refractory brick, comprising a support for such a case, presser bars on opposite sides of said support and extending above it, means pivotally mounting said bars on parallel horizontal axes adjacent the support, a fluid pressurecylinder. below said support, a piston.

in the cylinder having a piston rod projecting from the top of the-cylinder, links pivotally connecting the upper end of the piston rod to the lower ends -ofthe presser bars, means for supplying fluid to the-lower end of the cylinder to raisethepiston" therein so as to swing the upper ends of saidibars'toward each other, aii'claw piv- QtaIIyL-W mounted on'a horizontal. axis on each presser: barz and projecting; inwardly therefrom,

the clawsxhaving inner: endsshaped to engage the inner surfacesof the-case flanges when those inner ends are tilted. downward, a fluid pressure: cylinder mounted oneach-presserbar, a-pistonz.

in the last-mentioned cylinder having a. projecting piston rod'zoperatively, connected to the: adjacent claw fortilting its innerend downward: after: the presser bars have" moved toward. each other, means actuated every; other time that the bars movetoward: each. other-for supplying" fluidi to one end; ofiieach' claw cylinder to cause said tilting; whereby: every other time that the bars are moved" away; from :each other the claws? will beiin position to" pull the case flanges farther apart in readiness to receive a brick between them, and means actuatedi every time the flanges are. spread apart for supplying fluid to the opposite end: of. each claw'cylinder' to tilt the claws awayfromrthe case flangesandi holdthem away whilezthepresserrbarsare swung in again to engage the case' flanges and: press' them against'the sides of ai-brick in. the lease 91 Apparatus for" applying a channel shape sheet metal case' having upwardly.v extending: flanges to a refractory brick, comprising a pain: of upright end m'embers,- a base connecting the lowerends of the'end members; ahorizontalsup-- port for said case secured to saidiendimembers, presser bars on opposite sides of 'said support extending lengthwise thereofand above and below it, meanspivotall y connecting said bars to said end members on parallel"horizontalaxes, a

fluid pressure cylinder mounted-"on said-base-below sai support, apistonin'the cylinder having a piston rod' projecting from the top of 3 the cylinder, links pivotally connecting'the upper end ofthe piston rod to th'elower ends of the presser' bars, means for supplying fluid 'to the lower end of the cylinderrto raise the piston'thereinso as to'swing theupper ends of the bars toward each other, a claw extending lengthwise along theupper'endof each presserb'ar andprojeeting laterally from both sides of'the'bar, means pivotally connecting the claws to the presser bars-on parallel horizontal axes, the claws having inner endsshaped to engage-the inner surfaces ofthe case flanges whenthose inner ends are tilted downward, a fluid'pressure'cylinder mounted on each presser bar, a piston in the'last men-tioned cylinder having a projecting piston rod operatively connected tothe adjacentclaw for tilting its inner end downward after'the presser bars have been moved toward each other, means actuated every other'time thatthe bars move toward each other forsupplying fluid to oneend of said-claw cylinders to cause said tilting, whereby every other-time that the bars are moved away from each other the claws'will'be in position to pull the case flanges farther apart in'readiness to receive'a brick between them, and means actuated every time the flanges are'sprea'd apart for supplying fiuid to the opposite end of each claw cylinder to tiltthe claws away-from the case flanges in readiness to receive a brick between the flanges, means for holding said flange-pulling means out of engagement with the case flanges after a, brick has been placed in the case, and means for pressing the case flanges tightly against the sides of the brick after said flange-pulling means have been released from the flanges, whereby to press said projections into the brick.

References Cited in the file or this patent Number 10 Name Date Ross Feb. 27, 1940 Redman Apr. 30, 1940 Frederick June 11, 1940 Conner et a1. Oct. 1, 1940 Stitt Dec. 17, 1940 Edison Oct. 21, 1941 Herman Nov. 1 6, 1943 Beck n Dec. 21, 1943 Young Dec. 28, 1948 Yeager et al Aug. 30, 1949 Stout et al Nov. 15, 1949 

